By Betsy Finklea
The Dillon City Council discussed several items of business at their January meeting.
In the mayor’s report, Mayor Todd Davis:
-reported on the groundbreaking at Wyman-Gordon. He said he thought it would be a “game-changer” for the community. He said they were excited about being in Dillon County, and he welcomed them.
-welcomed Taco Bell. He said that he expects the new restaurant to be constructed in two to three months.
-said he had been approached by several people thanking the city for the golf course. He said a tournament was held for the Red Cross Chapter there, and it raised approximately $14,000. The money stays in Dillon for fire victims.
-said the city is looking at hosting a coin show. The month of April is being targeted.
-expressed his appreciation for the job that the service departments do and what they face with the weather.
-discussed the Peddlers license. He said he did not want peddlers to hurt local businesses who have employees who work here, live here, and eat here and pay a business license. He said if there was any way to improve the ordinance regarding this to please bring it to council’s attention.
-said he thought it was time to look at their long-term plans.
-said he thought they should go forward with the needed work at the treatment plant.
-pointed out some things from the budget report. He said at mid-year they are looking good with fuel. He said they had one of their lowest months with hospitality/hot meals tax collections.
-said people like the new equipment at the Wellness Center.
In the City Manager’s Report, City Manager Glen Wagner:
-said Taco Bell would have a mid-April opening.
-stated that they cannot ban peddlers, but can make the license costly.
-said Celebrate Main Street had been set for Saturday, April 25th.
-said work should begin on the playground at the Wellness Center in the next 7-10 days pending the weather. The cost is $93,000.
-said they are thinking of matching the façade grant funds up to $1,500. The budget is $3,000.
-said the Community Development Block Grant project in the Stewart Heights area should begin in the next two weeks.
-reported that the Golf Course Committee met with six of seven members present. Three meetings have been scheduled by March 1st.
-briefly discussed the Perdue contract.
-said several city employees had expressed their appreciation for their Christmas bonuses.
Ben Zeigler of Haynsworth, Sinkler & Boyd, came to discuss refinancing the bond on the Wellness Center. They are halfway through with the payments on the Wellness Center. They ran some numbers and believe they can get the rate down from 4.05% to about 2.4% and basically keep the same maturity. There would be no payment this calendar year. This would bring the city substantial savings.
The second reading of the following ordinances were approved:
-Ordinance #14-13—Annexation of Dan & Alice Hamer property
-Ordinance #14-14—Amending Zoning Map for Shelley Edwards’ property
-Ordinance #14-15—Amending Zoning Map for W. Lee Flowers & Company, Inc.
The council passed the first reading of ordinance #15-01—To provide for the Issuance and Sale of not exceeding $2,175,000 General Obligation Refunding Bond of 2015.
In council reports:
-Councilman Johnny Eller inquired about warming shelters and the baggy pants ordinance.
-Councilwoman Connie Manning asked about neighborhood parks and thanked Code Enforcement Officer Benny Genwright for his work on dilapidated homes.